Career and Education Opportunities for Sound Engineers in Oregon

Oregon has a population of 3,825,657, which has grown by 11.82% over the past 10 years. Nicknamed the "Beaver State," its capital is Salem, though its most populous city is Portland.

Currently, 100 people work as sound engineers in Oregon. This is expected to grow by 14% to about 110 people by 2016. This is better than the nation as a whole, where employment opportunities for sound engineers are expected to grow by about 6.3%. In general, sound engineers operate machines and equipment to record, synchronize, or reproduce music, voices, or sound effects in sporting arenas, theater productions, or movie and video productions.

The income of a sound engineer is about $22 hourly or $47,530 annually on average in Oregon. In the U.S. as a whole, their income is about $22 per hour or $47,490 yearly on average. Compared with people working in the overall category of Media Technical, people working as sound engineers in Oregon earn more. They earn more than people working in the overall category of Media Technical nationally. People working as sound engineers can fill a number of jobs, such as: acoustical engineer, director, and sound truck operator.

In 2008, there were a total of 2,339,488 jobs in Oregon. The average annual income was $36,365 in 2008, up from $35,737 the preceding year. The unemployment rate in Oregon was 11.1% in 2009, which has grown by 4.6% since the previous year. About 25.1% of Oregon residents have college degrees, which is higher than the national average.

Every day, sound engineers are expected to be able to note differences between sounds as they change tone and volume. They need to focus on a single sound in a noisy environment. It is also important that they understand what others are saying to them even in a noisy environment.

Similar jobs with educational opportunities in Oregon include:

Audio Visual Technician. Set up or set up and operate audio and video equipment including microphones, sound speakers, video screens, projectors, video monitors, recording equipment, connecting wires and cables, sound and mixing boards, and related electronic equipment for concerts, sports events, meetings and conventions, presentations, and news conferences. May also set up and operate associated spotlights and other custom lighting systems.

Broadcast Technician. Set up, operate, and maintain the electronic equipment used to transmit radio and television programs. Control audio equipment to regulate volume level and quality of sound during radio and television broadcasts. Operate radio transmitter to broadcast radio and television programs.

Camera Operator. Operate television, video, or motion picture camera to photograph images or scenes for various purposes, such as TV broadcasts, advertising, or motion pictures.

Technical Director. Coordinate activities of technical departments, such as taping, editing, and maintenance, to produce radio or television programs.

LOCATION INFORMATION: Oregon

Oregon photo by Kelvin Kay

Oregon has a population of 3,825,657, which has grown by 11.82% in the last 10 years. Nicknamed the "Beaver State," its capital is Salem, though its biggest city is Portland. In 2008, there were a total of 2,339,488 jobs in Oregon. The average annual income was $36,365 in 2008, up from $35,737 the previous year. The unemployment rate in Oregon was 11.1% in 2009, which has grown by 4.6% since the previous year. About 25.1% of Oregon residents have college degrees, which is higher than the national average.